Ventilation grille frame, ventilation grille slats and ventilation grille, and method for producing a ventilation grille

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to ventilation grilles ( 22, 24 ), ventilation grille frames ( 10 ) and ventilation grille slats ( 12, 14 ), and to methods of producing ventilation grilles ( 22, 24 ). According to the invention, the ventilation grille frame ( 10 ) comprises horizontal slat holders ( 16 ) and vertical slat holders ( 18 ) which lie at least substantially in one plane. As a result, one and the same ventilation grille frame ( 10 ) can be selectively fitted with horizontal or vertical ventilation grille slats ( 12, 14 ), thus achieving a flexible configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ventilation grille frame for holding ventilation grille slats, with the ventilation grille frame having horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders. The invention also relates to ventilation grille slats. The invention also relates to ventilation grilles and to a method for producing ventilation grilles of said type.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ventilation grilles are usually used in the outlet region of ventilation ducts, for example in connection with the air-conditioning of buildings or vehicles etc. Here, it is known to fit ventilation grilles with horizontal slats and/or with vertical slats. Within the context of the present application, the terms horizontal and vertical should relate merely to two preferred directions which run perpendicular to one another, wherein the relative position with respect to the Earth's surface should be unimportant. It is for example possible for a ventilation grille which has merely horizontal slats within the context of the invention to be arranged such that the horizontal slats in fact run perpendicularly or obliquely with respect to the Earth's surface.

A ventilation grille which has both horizontal slats and also vertical slats is disclosed for example in DE 173 12 68 U. In the ventilation grille shown there, the horizontal slats and the vertical slats are arranged in series with respect to the air flow direction in a ventilation grille frame.

The invention is based on the object of specifying ventilation grille components by means of which ventilation grilles can be configured and produced in a flexible manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Said object is achieved by means of the subject matters of the independent claims.

Advantageous embodiments and refinements of the invention can be gathered from the dependent claims.

The ventilation grille frame builds on the generic prior art in that the horizontal slat holders and the vertical slat holders lie at least substantially in a plane. By means of said solution, it is possible to use one and the same ventilation grille frame both for producing ventilation grilles which have only horizontal slats and also for producing ventilation grilles which have only vertical slats.

It is preferably provided in the ventilation grille frame according to the invention that the horizontal slat holders and/or the vertical slat holders are formed by recesses. Here, it is particularly preferable for all the recesses, which form horizontal slat holders or vertical slat holders, to have an identical shape in order to define a standard for the end sections of the ventilation grille slats which are to be used.

It is particularly preferable in this context that the recesses be cuboidal.

The ventilation grille slat according to the invention is characterized in that it has a foot, preferably a cuboidal foot, at at least one of its axial end sections. In any case, it is preferable for the shape of the foot to be matched to the shape of the recesses in the ventilation grille frame according to the invention.

The ventilation grille slat according to the invention can advantageously be refined in that the at least one foot is rotatable. In this way, it is possible to produce ventilation grilles whose ventilation grille slats are pivotable about their longitudinal axis in the assembled state. If appropriate, it is possible for a plurality of ventilation grille slats to be coupled to one another, in a manner known per se, so as to generate a common pivoting movement.

The invention also provides a ventilation grille having a ventilation grille frame, in particular as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim 4 or 5, being inserted into at least some of the horizontal slat holders. Here, the precise configuration of the ventilation grille is flexible. It is not necessary for all of the horizontal slat holders to be provided with ventilation grille slats, but rather it is for example possible for every second ventilation grille slat which can be inserted to be omitted.

One preferred refinement of the invention provides that at least one slat support is inserted into the vertical slat holders. A slat support of said type is advantageous in particular when the slats to be supported have a comparatively large length, since undesired vibrations can be avoided then. For this purpose, said slat support preferably has notches whose shape is matched to the shape of the ventilation grille slats which are to be supported.

In preferred embodiments of the ventilation grille in question, it is provided that at least a part of the ventilation grille frame is covered by a ventilation grille faceplate which presses the ventilation grille slats into the horizontal slat holders in order to produce a positive fit and which if appropriate presses the at least one slat support into vertical slat holders in order to produce a positive fit. Here, it can be provided in particular that the ventilation grille frame and the ventilation grille faceplate are fitted with suitable latching devices, so that the two components can be connected with one another in a simple manner. Said connection can if appropriate be detachable in order to permit a later reconfiguration of the ventilation grille.

The ventilation grille according to the invention can if appropriate be configured such that at least some of the horizontal slat holders are unoccupied.

The invention also provides a ventilation grille having a ventilation grille frame, in particular as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim 4 or 5, being inserted into at least some of the vertical slat holders. Here, the ventilation grille frame can correspond to the ventilation grille frame which is used in the above-explained ventilation grille with horizontal slats.

In said ventilation grille, too, it is preferable for at least a part of the ventilation grille frame to be covered by a ventilation grille faceplate which presses the ventilation grille slats into the vertical slat holders in order to produce a positive fit. Here, it is again possible for suitable latching connections, for example in the manner of snap-in connections, to be provided.

In this case, too, configurations are considered in which it is provided that at least some of the vertical slat holders are unoccupied.

The invention also provides a ventilation grille having a first ventilation grille frame, in particular as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim 4 or 5, being inserted into at least some of the horizontal slat holders, and having a second ventilation grille frame, in particular as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, arranged upstream or downstream of the first ventilation grille frame with respect to the expected air flow, which second ventilation grille frame has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim 4 or 5, being inserted into at least some of the vertical slat holders. A ventilation grille of said type, which has both horizontal slats and also vertical slats, can be composed of the above-explained standard components. Here, the ventilation grille frame to which a ventilation grille faceplate is assigned preferably presses the ventilation grille slats which are inserted into the other ventilation grille frame into the corresponding recesses. It is also possible for suitable latching devices to be provided in order to be able to connect the first ventilation grille frame, the second ventilation grille frame and if appropriate a ventilation grille faceplate to one another in a simple manner.

In a ventilation grille of said type, too, it can be provided that at least some of the horizontal slat holders and/or vertical slat holders are unoccupied.

The method according to the invention for producing a ventilation grille has the following steps:

providing a ventilation grille frame, in particular as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, and

inserting ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim 4 or 5, into at least some of the horizontal slat holders or inserting ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim 4 or 5, into at least some of the vertical slat holders.

By means of said method, it is possible to produce either ventilation grilles with horizontal slats or ventilation grilles with vertical slats, specifically using one and the same ventilation grille frame.

The method according to the invention is preferably refined in that it comprises the following further step:

inserting at least one slat support into the horizontal slat holders or the vertical slat holders.

A slat support is advantageous in particular when the slats to be supported have a large length and vibrations are to be expected without a slat support.

The following step can also be provided in the method according to the invention:

covering at least a part of the ventilation grille frame with a ventilation grille faceplate which presses the ventilation grille slats into the horizontal slat holders in order to produce a positive fit and which if appropriate presses the at least one slat support into the vertical slat holders in order to produce a positive fit.

In this case, too, it is possible for the ventilation grille frame and the ventilation grille faceplate to be fitted with suitable latching devices in order to permit a simple connection of said components. Here, the connection can be detachable in order to permit a later reconfiguration.

The invention is based on the concept of providing a flexibly configurable ventilation grille. For this purpose, the ventilation grille slats are inserted as individual components into the ventilation grille frame. As a result of said modular design, it is possible to form a multitude of ventilation grilles only by means of the arrangement and the number of ventilation grille slats used and different sizes of ventilation grille frames. For this purpose, the ventilation grille frame has standardized slat holders, which permits the use of the ventilation grille slats in diverse positions. A ventilation grille faceplate preferably holds together all of the components which are used. A great advantage of said novel design is the cost-effective realization of a large number of ventilation grille variants. If appropriate, it is possible for the ventilation grille faceplate to be provided as a simple plastic part which is provided for use with a decorative covering, for example composed of wood.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained by way of example below on the basis of the associated drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of one embodiment of a ventilation grille which is fitted with vertical ventilation grille slats and which has been produced by means of the method according to the invention using the ventilation grille frame according to the invention and the ventilation grille slats according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the ventilation grille from FIG. 1 in a perspective illustration and before the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat;

FIG. 3 shows the illustration from FIG. 2 after the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from FIG. 1 and an associated ventilation grille faceplate;

FIG. 5 shows a further perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from FIG. 1 and the associated ventilation grille faceplate;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from FIG. 1 after the ventilation grille faceplate illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 has been placed on;

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a ventilation grille which is fitted with horizontal ventilation grille slats and which has been produced by means of the method according to the invention using the ventilation grille frame according to the invention and the ventilation grille slats according to the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a detail of the ventilation grille from FIG. 7 in a perspective illustration before the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat;

FIG. 9 shows the illustration from FIG. 8 after the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat; and

FIG. 10 shows a perspective exploded illustration of a ventilation grille which is composed of two ventilation grille frames, which have been fitted with ventilation grille slats, and a ventilation grille faceplate and which is assigned a fan.

In the drawings, identical or similar reference symbols denote identical or similar components which, in order to avoid repetitions, are at least partially explained only once.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of one embodiment of a ventilation grille 22 which is fitted with vertical ventilation grille slats 14 and which has been produced by means of the method according to the invention using the ventilation grille frame 10 according to the invention and the ventilation grille slats 14 according to the invention. The ventilation grille frame 10 can for example be a plastic injection-molded part which has horizontal slat holders 16 and vertical slat holders 18, which are situated in a plane, in the form of cuboidal recesses. Latching devices 30 are arranged in the peripheral region of the ventilation grille frame 10, which latching devices 30 are provided to interact with complementary latching devices 32 on a ventilation grille faceplate. According to the illustration of FIG. 1, ventilation grille slats 14 are inserted into all of the vertical slat holders 18. This need not necessarily be the case. A great advantage of the invention is specifically that the ventilation grille frame 10 can be fitted with ventilation grille slats 14 in a variable manner in order to match the ventilation grille 22 which is formed to respective requirements.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the ventilation grille from FIG. 1 in a perspective illustration and before the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat. In addition to the elements already explained on the basis of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows in particular the nature of the ventilation grille slats according to the invention. Each ventilation grille slat 14 (or 12 in FIG. 8) has a cuboidal foot 20 at its two free end sections. Said foot is matched to the dimensions of the recesses which form the vertical slat holders 18. It is possible for the ventilation grille slats 14 to be connected to their two feet 20 such that a pivoting movement of the ventilation grille slats 14 about their respective longitudinal axes is possible. Such a pivoting movement of the ventilation grille slats 14 about their longitudinal axis makes it possible to impart a desired flow direction to the throughflowing air. If appropriate, it is possible for a plurality of ventilation grille slats 14 to be coupled in a suitable manner in order to permit a common pivoting movement.

FIG. 3 shows the illustration from FIG. 2 after the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat. According to the illustration of FIG. 3, all of the ventilation grille slats 14 have been inserted into the vertical slat holders 18. In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the ventilation grille slats 14 are locked in the vertical slat holders 18 by means of a ventilation grille faceplate 28, as explained in more detail below on the basis of FIGS. 4 to 6.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from FIG. 1 and an associated ventilation grille faceplate, FIG. 5 shows a further perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from FIG. 1 and the associated ventilation grille faceplate, and FIG. 6 shows a perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from FIG. 1 after the ventilation grille faceplate illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 has been placed on. The ventilation grille faceplate 28 has latching devices 32 in its outer edge region, which latching devices 32 are of complementary design to the latching devices 30 of the ventilation grille frame 10. When the ventilation grille faceplate 28 is latched to the ventilation grille frame 30 (see FIG. 6), an encircling edge 34 of the ventilation grille faceplate 28 presses the ventilation grille slats 14 into the recesses which form the vertical slat holders 18. Since the actual bodies of the ventilation grille slats 14 project slightly beyond their feet 20 (see in particular FIG. 2), the ventilation grille slats 14 rest with a small section against the ventilation grille faceplate 28 (see in particular FIG. 6).

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a ventilation grille which is fitted with horizontal ventilation grille slats and which has been produced by means of the method according to the invention using the ventilation grille frame according to the invention and the ventilation grille slats according to the invention. According to the illustration of FIG. 7, the ventilation grille frame 10 has been fitted with ventilation grille slats 12 which are arranged in the horizontal slat holders 16. Since the horizontally arranged ventilation grille slats 12 are considerably longer than the vertically arranged ventilation grille slats 14 (see FIGS. 1 to 6), according to the illustration of FIG. 7, a shaft support 26 is provided, which is inserted into vertical slat holders 18. Said slat support 26 effectively prevents any vibration of the ventilation grille slats 12.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of the ventilation grille from FIG. 7 in a perspective illustration before the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat 12. FIG. 8 shows in particular that the ventilation grille slats 12 also have a foot 20 at their end sections, which foot 20 is matched to the dimensions of the recesses which form the horizontal slat holders 16. It is particularly advantageous for all the embodiments if the recesses which form the horizontal slat holders 16 and the vertical slat holders 18 have identical dimensions. FIG. 8 likewise shows that the slat support 26 has notches 34 which are matched to the outer periphery of the ventilation grille slats 12. The ventilation grille slats 12 are therefore additionally supported by the slat support 26 and a vibration of the ventilation grille slats 12 is reliably prevented.

FIG. 9 shows the illustration from FIG. 8 after the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat 12. Similarly to the illustration from FIG. 3, the ventilation grille frame 10 according to the illustration of FIG. 9 is completely fitted with ventilation grille slats. The ventilation grille faceplate 28 which is shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is again used to lock the ventilation grille slats 12 and the slat support 26 in the ventilation grille frame 10. After the fastening of the ventilation grille faceplate 28, the encircling edge 34 of the latter presses the feet 20 of the ventilation grille slats 12 and the identically designed feet 20′ of the slat support 26 into the respective recesses which respectively form the horizontal slat holders 16 and the vertical slat holders 18.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective exploded illustration of a ventilation grille which is composed of two ventilation grille frames, which have been fitted with ventilation grille slats, and a ventilation grille faceplate and which is assigned a fan. Here, the arrangement is selected such that a first ventilation grille frame 10 with vertically arranged ventilation grille slats 14 is arranged, in front of the outlet 38 of the fan 36, followed by a second ventilation grille frame 10 with horizontally arranged ventilation grille slats 12, and a ventilation grille faceplate 28. In this way, a ventilation grille is formed which has both horizontal and also vertical ventilation grille slats 12 and 14 respectively. As mentioned, it is not strictly necessary for all of the horizontal slat holders 16 or all of the vertical slat holders 18 to be occupied, as is illustrated in the figures. The occupation of the respective holders with ventilation grille slats can rather be carried out dependent on the application.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential to the realization of the invention both individually and also in any desired combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

10 Ventilation grille frame

12 Ventilation grille slats

14 Ventilation grille slats

16 Horizontal slat holders

18 Vertical slat holders

20 Foot

22 Ventilation grille

24 Ventilation grille

26 Slat support

28 Ventilation grille faceplate

30 Latching devices

34 Edge

36 Fan

38 Fan outlet 

1. A ventilation grille frame for holding ventilation grille slats, with the ventilation grille frame having horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders, characterized in that the horizontal slat holders and the vertical slat holders lie at least substantially in a plane.
 2. The ventilation grille frame of claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal slat holders and/or the vertical slat holders are formed by recesses.
 3. The ventilation grille frame of claim 1, characterized in that the recesses are cuboidal.
 4. A ventilation grille slat, characterized in that it has a foot, preferably a cuboidal foot, at at least one of its axial end sections.
 5. The ventilation grille slat of claim 4, characterized in that the at least one foot is rotatable.
 6. A ventilation grille having a ventilation grille frame, which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats being inserted into at least some of the horizontal slat holders.
 7. The ventilation grille of claim 6, characterized in that at least one slat support is inserted into the vertical slat holders.
 8. The ventilation grille of claim 6, characterized in that at least a part of the ventilation grille frame is covered by a ventilation grille faceplate which presses the ventilation grille slats into the horizontal slat holders in order to produce a positive fit and which if appropriate presses the at least one slat support into vertical slat holders in order to produce a positive fit.
 9. The ventilation grille of claim 6, characterized in that at least some of the horizontal slat holders are unoccupied.
 10. A ventilation grille having a ventilation grille frame, which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats being inserted into at least some of the vertical slat holders.
 11. The ventilation grille of claim 10, characterized in that at least a part of the ventilation grille frame is covered by a ventilation grille faceplate which presses the ventilation grille slats into the vertical slat holders in order to produce a positive fit.
 12. The ventilation grille of claim 10, characterized in that at least some of the vertical slat holders are unoccupied.
 13. A ventilation grille having a first ventilation grille frame, which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats, being inserted into at least some of the horizontal slat holders, and having a second ventilation grille frame arranged upstream or downstream of the first ventilation grille frame with respect to the expected air flow, which second ventilation grille frame has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats being inserted into at least some of the vertical slat holders.
 14. The ventilation grille of claim 13, characterized in that at least some of the horizontal slat holders and/or vertical slat holders are unoccupied.
 15. A method for producing a ventilation grille, having the following steps: providing a ventilation grille frame, which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, and inserting ventilation grille slats into at least some of the horizontal slat holders or inserting ventilation grille slats into at least some of the vertical slat holders.
 16. The method of claim 15, characterized in that said method comprises the following further step: inserting at least one slat support into the horizontal slat holders or the vertical slat holders.
 17. The method of claim 15, characterized in that said method comprises the 15 following further step: covering at least a part of the ventilation grille frame with a ventilation grille faceplate which presses the ventilation grille slats into the horizontal slat holders in order to produce a positive fit and which if appropriate presses the at least one slat support into the vertical slat holders in order to produce a positive fit. 